An assessment of the causes of malnutrition in Ethiopia: A ...

Table 4.2: Present discount values (PDV) of economic benefits associated with
reducing the prevalence of low birth-weight.
Pathway
PDV per low
birthweight
averted (US$)
Reduced infant mortality 95
Reduced neonatal care and reduced costs of infant/child illness 81
Productivity gain from reduce stunting 180
Productivity gain from improved cognitive function 434
Reduction in the costs of chronic diseases 74
Intergenerational benefits 122
Sum of PDV of the six benefits US$ 986
Range of average program costs per low birthweight averted US$14 to 100
Source: Alderman et al. 2003
from a lack of awareness or understanding of these services. Thus, a stronger effort to
communicate behavior change must be exerted at the grassroots community level. Maternal
malnutrition is particularly common in the regions where preventive health care (prenatal and
postnatal) are low (Figure 4.2). As can be seen from the figure, higher percentages of
undernourished mothers are found in the Afar, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Somali
regions where preventive healthcare utilization is also low.
4.2.4. Psychosocial care
It is widely recognized that the normal growth and development of infants and young
children requires care that adequately meets their basic physical needs (nutrition, health,
Figure 4.2: Prenatal and postnatal clinic utilization and chronic energy deficiency
among women aged 15 to 49, by region.
Percent
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Tigray
Affar
Amhara
Prenatal care
Postnatal care
Undernourished mother (BMI